Codename: Freedom - Book 4 - Chapter 44

Knocking wasn’t necessary since Destiny could informed Victoria’s personal AI, but I did so anyway. Most of our time together had been in Freedom where technology was limited. I intended to give her little reminders throughout the night of how far we’ve come.

The door slid sideways into the door panel to reveal the silver eyed Ekseliksi princess I’d come for. As I requested, she was wearing a skinsuit that resembled our ballistic body armor, but it had a very specific purpose. Her hair was done up in a tight braid and her stealth compatible headset crowned her head.

“Are you sure this isn’t against military law, or something…” she said coyly.

It was rare for her to be anything but confident, but my stunt today had left her in a position she wasn’t accustomed to.

“Trust me,” I replied. “We’re actually doing them a favor.”

“It’s as he says,” Destiny added. Her master drone floated in the hall behind me just as it would in Vanguard.

“Very well.”

Stepping out of her room, she huffed out a large breath then asked. “Now what?”

“Activate your suit and follow me. Destiny has the hall, but after we leave its on us to remain unseen. Unlike last time, if you remember, our invisibility cloaks are real. Our psionics will interfere with the field they create, so limit them except when necessary. Other than that, try to keep up,” I said with a smirk.

She narrowed her eyes. An instant later, she disappeared. There was a bit of a blurt where she stood, but it was only obvious because I’d been looking right at her when she activated her suit.

My suit activated a second later. The lenses over my eyes gave me a clear, yet slightly narrower field of view. Destiny had linked her suit, so she was highlighted in my view.

I snagged her hand with mine and began toward the exit of the building.

She tried to take back her hand, but my grip was firm, and she stopped after a moment’s struggle.

Leaving the hall, we walked through a screen of Destiny’s microdrones. From now on, if we weren’t careful, we really would be found out.

I’d had Destiny do a survey of our media profiles and found that there were still a lot of people that hoped Victoria and I would end up together, but just as many thought that ship had sailed. They were pairing me off with Mara, and Victoria, well, no one knew what to think so it was a bunch of nonsense.

Once we exited the building, I let go of her hand. Destiny lit up our headsets with ground arrows showing us the direction we should go. Her drone was also in stealth mode.

I began to run in the direction indicated and Victoria was right on my heels. We weaved through buildings and headed toward the outer wall surrounding the base. As we neared, I drew her to a stop at the side of a building where we still had limited cover.

Microdrones surrounded us. I still kept my voice to a whisper. “We’ve been cleared to test the soldiers guarding this segment of the wall. From what I’ve gathered from Destiny, if we’re fast enough and keep our psionics to a minimum, then we should be able to make it through with only the warning sensors being tripped. Animals trip them all the time, so if we’re gone before they can investigate, then we win.”

“Lucius,” Victoria protested. “I don’t like to show off my psionics—for obvious reasons.”

“I’m not asking you to do anything crazy. Just a solid Othisi to clear the fence and we’re gone. Come on. I know it must be annoying to never get to show off what your capable of. It’s just a twenty-foot fence. Are you really going to let a foot soldier show you up?”

She squeezed the back of my arm. The stealth suit offered decent ballistic protection so it was the best she could do. She’d have to wait to later to give me a real pinch. “Are you sure you can make it?” she said. “We’ll be pushing off grass.”

“Don’t worry about me. What about you? Can you do it without overdoing it?”

“Me? Ha.” She gave me a halfhearted push and started walking toward the fence about a quarter mile from where we stood.

Shaking my head, I ran after her. We were already close enough for their sensors to pick us up. We needed to move, and fast.

I slowed we I was even with her and waved her on in challenge. She didn’t need me to pick up the pace but did so immediately.

I’d run against her before and had always been impressed. Never had I really gotten to see what she was capable of. Not in athletics or psionics. Even if it was in a limited sense, she stopped holding back.

There were no psionics, and I couldn’t exactly see more than the outline of her form in action, but she just kept accelerating.

Speed had always been something I was naturally good at. After all my training in Freedom, I wasn’t even sure the level I’d reached. There were very few races I wasn’t confident in winning. But this woman who I wasn’t even sure did any physical training was beginning to push me.

I did my best to hold back my laughter, but I’m sure some snuck out.

As she reached her top speed, I matched it. I was still confident, but I couldn’t help but to marvel at her. What was even more impressive was that she held that pace for more than a hundred yards as we neared the fence.

Clearing it in one jump was essential. Destiny highlighted the top of the fence in red. Not only would it electrocute us, but any interruption in the current would also give away our presence.

I began to worry. I knew Victoria was more than capable, but if she limited herself…

She certainly didn’t look like she had any intention of slowing down.

By now, the sensors that fed to the tower a hundred yards to our flank was receiving a minor warning. I saw a head pop up on the tower as the soldier on duty was trying to get a visual. Another would be sitting nearby viewing the area through different lenses with their headset.

It was time to perform, or this could turn embarrassing really fast.

Destiny was kind enough to pre-scan the ground so I knew I’d be pushing off a surface that would respond well to psionics.

I gave Victoria one last glance before picking it up a notch. I kicked off the ground with a little help from Othisi and landed on the patch of earth that Destiny had indicated. I weakly pushed against the ground as I planted my foot. Using it as a springboard, I unleashed my energy at full power.

I cut my psionics as soon as I’d taken to the air. I cleared the fence easy enough. My concern was too much to wait, so I pushed against the air with my foot, wind walking to slow my decent.

Glancing back, I didn’t see her, but something skirted my peripherals. Throwing my eyes up, I saw her gazing down at me from overhead. She was mocking how I’d fought the overlords today by flipping over my head just as I’d done to them, but she was spinning as she did.

We hadn’t reached they ground, yet she tiptoed on nothing in the space in front of me, giving herself a graceful decent.

I braced myself with a controlled push to the ground as I landed and rolled. Victoria, however, touched down with ease as if to her it had been a little hop.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little jealous. She made it look so easy. At the same time, she was revealing more of herself to me—regardless how small.

Our job wasn’t done. Destiny lit up a forested area not far away in blinking green, so we ran for it.

Once there, we slowed our pace to a jog. Soon Destiny’s drone appeared out of stealth. We slowed to a walk and deactivated stealth.

“Are they still looking for us?” I asked.

“Nope,” Destiny replied. “You are officially logged as a small animal disturbance—but it was close. If they recheck their own scans, they’ll be able to make out the image of the bottom half of leg from when your push interfered with your suit, Lucius. As for Victoria, not a trace remains.”

I spied the satisfaction in her face and paid her back with a light shoulder bump.

When she reached for me, I grabbed her hand and pulled her along. This time she didn’t try to take it back.

“Where exactly are you taking me?” She asked.

“It won’t be long now. You’ll see.”

We were only in the forested area for a few minutes before we left it behind to find a transport vehicle waiting for us on the side of the road. Destiny attached herself to the back as Victoria and I climbed in.

It was only a small family sized transport, so there were two seats in front and back. We sat across facing each other.

“It’s only a few minutes now,” I assured her.

She was uneasy as she watched the scenery changed.

We arrived in the parking lot of what seemed like a closed small-town restaurant. There were any lights on.

“We’re here,” I said, hopping out as soon as the door slid up and offered her a hand getting out.

She took it reluctantly.

“Are you sure we’re at the right place?”

I didn’t respond. Destiny highlighted the way for us. Once we neared the front of the building, she split our path and steered us in opposite directions. “Follow your path. Unless you want to get dressed together…” Destiny teased.

Victoria was led in through the main entrance and found Drool waiting there to help her get changed. I entered a side entrance and Vector had everything laid out for me.

“Thanks, man.”

“Of course,” he replied. “Thanks for paying for dinner.”

I didn’t take long to remove my stealth suit and get dressed. Instead of sticking to modern fashion, I’d ordered some pants and tunics that imitated the ones Victoria had made me in Freedom. They didn’t look overly dated because they fit too well. Their impact should be the same.

As I walked out the backroom with Vector, we found the girls already waiting for us. Drool had adopted Vector’s blue hair, but it was her sleeveless lowcut evening gown of yellow with a long slit up the side of the leg that drew all the attention.

Seeing him stop to admire her, I gave him a nudge in her direction.

“Why, thank you, Lucius,” Drool said, stepping up to take his arm with a hungry look in her eye.

He glanced back as she pulled him toward the other side of the restaurant with a smug expression and called, “Have fun you two.”

Victoria was left there alone wearing a gown of simmering gold. It matched Drool’s almost perfectly except the top wasn’t cut as low.

I cleared the distance between us and offered her my arm.

Taking it, she asked without looking at me. “How long have you been planning this?”

“Not long. A few weeks.”

“More like a month, but whose counting,” Destiny said, zooming passed us. “I’ll help you to your seat and your server will be with you soon.”

Much of the room was filled with round tables similar to the ones we’d often used in our early days in Freedom. It was one of the reasons I’d chosen this restaurant over the others in the area while also being off base. It also didn’t have a modern presence, though rarely did they use actual people as servers here.

There was a booth seat waiting for us. I helped her to her seat and sat across from her. She took in the setting, but that was all. Soon it was like her eyes were glued to my chest.

“Destiny,” I commanded, and soon half the room was surrounded in a swarm of microdrones. “This way we can have a conversation without having to worry about saying the wrong thing—or not saying what we’re really thinking.”

“I—” she began, then scanned the room carefully before finally looking me in the eye. “Lucius. Thank you for this, but…”

“I’m listening,” I replied playfully.

She looked pained and looked away. “I’m not going to pretend any longer no matter how uncomfortable this conversation is to have.” She gave me a pointed look. “I never should’ve let any of this happen. I’m so sorry, but we need to stop. This can’t go on. I’ve seen what it has done to Peter, and I can’t—I won’t hurt you like that. I’ve considered every possible outcome and all of them end with you miserable. How can I possibly say I care for you and allow you to go through that?”

I just gave her a knowing smile.

Her expression darkened. “What are you doing?”

I let the weight of what I was feeling show on my face, but only briefly. “So what you’re saying is that you want to end the romantic side of our relationship because, in the long run, I’ll be happier?”

She mournfully nodded. “Yes, precisely.”

“Well, if that’s the case, then since I care for you and want you to experience as much happiness as possible, how about you abandon all your responsibility to the Ekseliksi, marry me, and we try to break the world record for the most babies ever conceived? After all, if I care, how could I allow you to continue bearing the impossible weight of trying to bridge peace between our peoples, marry a man you know you’ll hate, dance half naked in front of billions of people, and live a life where you’re guaranteed to be worshipped by many, but have almost no one close to you? That sounds miserable to me.”

I wasn’t sure if it was the fact that I’d thrown her argument back at her or revealed that I’d learned about some of the Epithumia customs, but she suddenly looked ragged.

Our server arrived before either of us spoke again. When she saw it was Peter, see seemed even more lost at what to do.

Because it was already late, the meal had been prepared based on what I knew she liked to eat in Freedom. There was pulled turkey, a baked potato, and steamed veggies for her, and a plate-sized ribeye for me.

She gave Peter a sweet thank you, and he just nodded his head before leaving.

I took the lead by starting in on my steak so that she knew she didn’t have to talk. She seemed to notice what I was doing and grinned appreciatively.

When I thought she was about to take a bite to eat, she spoke instead. “You’ve seen our dances. Do you know who it was a recording of?”

“The only data available was her name, Amara.”

“My sister.” She sighed to herself. “I’m sure you have questions…”

“Only one, really. Why?”

The dances in question weren’t of the kind that Mara practiced which were a display of skill and athleticism. Those of Earth existed to entertain. The best performers were like actors that could command the audience’s emotion as well as excitement. Even though Mara practiced the competitive form that focused on athleticism, she never would’ve been as popular as she was if she wasn’t exceptional at all forms. What I’d seen of Victoria’s sister’s dance included all those aspects, however. The addition of advanced psionics made them impossibly graceful and included things I’d never even seen in the metaverse. I wasn’t sure athleticism was even the right word for what she’d done. But the most extreme element was that it was the most sensual thing I’d ever seen.

“That’s best understood through the Epithumia’s purpose. She is supposed to embody love in all its meanings. There is agape. The eternal, sacrificial love we have for our people. Phileo is an enduring affection and respect that we express publicly for the Vasileia houses and those we interact with. There are others, but the one you’re questioning is eros. It is romance, eroticism, and the act of love making. The Ekseliksi do not have the metaverse and media the way Earth does. Everyone’s online profile is limited. What is available for public consumption is controlled, including the images of women.”

“There is a reason—for all of it. Almost every major technological advancement that transhumans depend upon was invented in a very short span during the twenty first century. The second enlightenment as it’s often called. It was the dawn of mankind taking their evolution into their own hands. However, as you know, many philosophical differences arose which led to countless atrocities worldwide, and even war. By the end of the century, the Ekseliksi had taken form in its infant state. Many religions, philosophies, and creeds were held by that core group of millions, but there was one thing they shared in common. They believed they could become something better.”

“We found ourselves in need of a form a governance. Some forms historically have more success than others. There were some that stressed the corruption of the rich, while others emphasized that of government officials. Regardless of the type of checks and balances in place, corruption always reigned in the end. There’s no perfect government. One form might be bliss to one group of people while being a dystopia for another. In the end, our founders concluded that utopia is impossible.”

“And that’s where Ekseliksi philosophy begins.” Her tone took on a sudden change. This wasn’t just an explanation. I sensed her underlying passion. “If utopia is impossible, then there’s only one avenue we can take—immortal progress. It means our culture, government, and every aspect of our lives is focused on striving for improvement. We will fail, but we will never remain in that fallen state. People don’t evolve at the same rate, so our founders felt it wise to provide an example for the people—a vision to work toward. That’s why the Vasileia, Epithumia, and Teleios were lifted up as archetypes to follow. We are to be the humans closest to perfection at this point in history. It’s not just a genetic or physical thing. We are called to live out the virtues we want our people to hold dear.”

I found myself shaking my head. Its not that what she was saying didn’t make sense, but I noticed a contradiction. From my interaction with Krato, and even Peter and Oliver, it seemed they already believed the Epithumia and Teleios had reached this so-called unreachable perfection. I told her exactly that.

“You’re not wrong that our people often act as such, but that can also be confused for their devotion. They are trying to live up to the idea as much as the people they’re honoring. The focus the Ekseliksi place on our example has many benefits. Our people have a shared vision and ethic. Those that want to pursue other forms of beauty and ways of life have that freedom, but they still honor our common ideals instead of fight against it. But there’s also the negative. Some succumb to complacency and are comfortable watching the progression of others. Our example is just entertainment to some, and there are those who find solace in being subservient. But overall, self-evolution is esteemed, and most seek to improve themselves.”

I took a juicy bite as I considered what she said. She watched me without making a move for her plate.

“So you dance around in your undies to encourage what exactly? Your men to want the most attractive partner possible, and women to want to be like you?”

She shrugged. “Of course you would put it that way… But, more or less. I must add, only women of the Epithumia house who are married or getting married dance publicly. There are dances for courtship, and for the already committed. It is to encourage intimacy between husband and wife. Remember, the Ekseliksi have only existed as a people for three centuries, and we moved from our home planet with only a few million people. A high birthrate was essential early on. Now, there are billions of us. And no, even if I agreed with your absurd offer to run away with you, it would be impossible for us to break the record for most births even after centuries of trying. There are Ekseliksi women who commonly have triplets and quadruplets.”

The last thing I expected from her was a wisecrack. My mouth hung open for a number of seconds before I found the words I was looking for. “That wouldn’t stop me from trying.”

Her eyes darted away as she tried not to smile. “Lucius, I could never abandon my people.”

I let out a chuckle. “Of course, you wouldn’t. I have no intention of trying to make you as ‘happy as possible,’ Victoria, or to give you a life without misery. I’m too young to not be a bit of an idealist, but I’m grounded in reality whether you choose to believe it or not. I know if you did as I asked and ran off with me, then your conscience would drive you crazy and you’d never have a moment of peace. Do you think that’s what I want? As much as I know you don’t want to hurt me, I also know that’s only a fraction of what is motivating you to say all this. You don’t want to let down your family or your people. Some part of you wants to remain pure for your wedding because you hold that as a virtue—even if you will despise the person you’re marrying.”

“And here is one thing that I wasn’t sure of, but you’ve just confirmed it. You’re also convinced that you’ll hate him. You’re here trying to broker peace between earth and the Ekseliksi against your father’s own wishes. I heard everything you just said, Victoria. Your founder’s philosophy doesn’t just belong to the past. You believe it.”

I held her gaze for a long moment before continuing. “Because the Teleios believes differently, this Vasileia guy you’re supposed to marry will believe the same thing he does. But there’s something that isn’t entirely clear to me. What exactly is it that you believe that the Teleios so strongly disagrees with?”

There was something different about the way she looked at me in that moment. I’d seen the Epithumia mask she put on, and also the face of the girl beneath, but for the first time it seems like they were the same person. “I believe that people have the right to reject Ekseliksi philosophy, and ultimately, Ekseliksi rule, even if it’s to their detriment. My father believes that because it’s in their best interest, they shouldn’t be given the freedom to reject it.”

I tapped the table slowly with my finger as things fell into place. “I knew it had to be something like that. Well, since I agree with you and this Vasileia guy doesn’t, I think you should marry me instead.”

She began shaking her head with a pleading in her eyes. “Lucius, I—”

“Did you really think I didn’t want to see you dance around in lingerie?” I asked. It was meant to lighten the mood, but she took my questions seriously.

“You don’t find it… troubling?”

“The thought of you dancing? Absolutely not,” I snickered halfheartedly. “Letting the rest of the world see you? I hate it. I want you all to myself. But that doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere.”

“But—”

“No.”

“No, what?”

“No to the long list of reasons you’ve come up with to persuade me to stop pursuing you. We’ve hardly seen each other the last two months. I didn’t know you were just going to come out and say it tonight, but don’t think for a moment I didn’t know you were already thinking something along these lines. I was basically raised by a blond psychiatric encyclopedia. As much as I didn’t care to listen, Destiny can be pretty underhanded in her methods of training.”

I heard a huff through my headset.

Ignoring Destiny, I leaned forward and rested my chin on my knuckles. “Look. You’re right.”

She gave me a suspicious look. “Oh? I gotta hear this.”

“We need to be careful with how much time we spend together so that it doesn’t hinder our goals. There’s wisdom in that. Too much wisdom though and I’ll find creative ways to embarrass you. You’ve been warned. About needing to honor your family, and your people… I don’t want you to just be happy, Victoria. Life is filled with hardship and tragedy. With your position, or station, or whatever you call it, you will face these things more than most. Was not the last Epithumia, your own grandmother, assassinated? How many times has Peter saved your mother from the same fate? You need someone beside you to help bear it, and to help you find happiness when it can be found. But happiness is not the goal. A life you can be proud of that’s lived with the people you love is. It’s more difficult than blind happiness, but if you’re willing to fight with me, I think we can pull it off.”

She responded with a non-answer, finally turning her attention to her plate.

As cool as my steak was, I wasn’t about to let a single bite go to waste. Nor would I miss that chance to tell Kline that I postponed buying him his all-you-can-eat steak dinner to go off and eat steak without him.

After a few minutes had passed, I dared a question. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.”

She peered up at me while she finished chewing her bite.

“The lingerie business you had in Freedom, did you start it because of your hobby to dance around in your knickers?”

“No,” she said indignant. Shallowing her food, she gave a more level response. “And yes. But it’s not just a hobby. Dancing is one of the core traditions of the Epithumia house, and—” She emphasized her last point proudly. “I’m better than my sister.”

“So why exactly was I the only person in Freedom that didn’t know what you were up to?”

“In part, that was your fault. When Drool and I hid what we were doing from you, I thought for sure you’d snoop around and try to find out.”

“Oh, so I’m at fault for not wanting to come off like a creep?”

Rolling her eyes, she continued. “At the time, we were new acquaintances, and I didn’t want to lead you on. If you would’ve showed sighs that you fancied me, our friendship would’ve ended before it begun. I never intended this.”

“I think I can accept that, but you definitely should’ve told me after I started giving you foot massages.”

Her tone softened. “Did it bother you when you found out during the gathering of guilds?”

“For a split second, until I thought about how awkward that conversation would’ve been…” I changed the topic. “With that out of the way, how about we watch the highlight video Destiny and I put together.”

“You put together a vid?”

“Destiny did most of the work. I just gave her some guidelines. It’s only about fifteen minutes. I thought we might need some lighthearted entertainment. What do you say?”

“All right.”

It was nothing like the wall sized panels in Freedom, but there was a slide down screen in the ceiling that Destiny summoned. Her hologram appeared above her drone. She was wearing a patched together skirt of many colors, a poofy pink sweater, and jester’s hat. “Good evening,” she said with a curtsy. “I must warn you to be careful chewing while watching this video, for there’s a good chance you’ll choke to death. Without further ado.” She threw her arms toward the screen and disappeared.

Kline appeared in the corner of the screen lounging in his seat in the old Prodos Tavern. Like normal, he had eaten himself into a semi food comma.

Victoria was already giggling uncontrollably, and nothing had happened yet.

Those at the table, including Victoria and I, were conversing. We were watching ourselves through the eyes of another. We turning to check on Kline, when he suddenly looked straight at us with his monstrous pearly grin. The person of whose perspective we were watching from spit a mouthful of liquid right in his face. He didn’t even flinch as it soaked him, even coating his teeth. He sat back slowly and turned away without losing the grin.

I knew it was coming and still let out a full belly laugh.

Things had only just begun. I’d told her it was a highlight video. It was more like a blooper vid of our closest friends. Treetop’s drunken stupor came soon after. Drool and Vector forgetting he was lying passed out when the goblins attacked came next.

I hadn’t known Victoria would breach the topic she did earlier, but I would’ve thrown in some cute personal moments between the two of us either way. Sneaking out. The woman who’d mistaken our flirting for being careless of dangers people were facing while defending the gate in the early days of Freedom.

After it was half over, most of my attention wasn’t on the video, but her. Seeing her laugh again without care, even if it wouldn’t last for a few minutes, warmed me in a way few other things could.

It was a few minutes before she caught me staring.

She seemed to know what I was thinking as she held my gaze. For a moment, she forgot to hide her true feelings. It’s all I really needed to see.

She turned away but glanced back not long after to find me still watching her and stuck out her tongue.

When it was over, we finished what was left on our plates and left. I challenged her to return to base in the same way we came, and she didn’t hesitate.

On our way back to her apartment, we whispered while in steal as we took our time weaving between buildings.

“There’s no way I’m going to fall asleep now,” she said.

“Same,” I replied. “I’ll be going to the training hall. Want to join me?” I knew there was no way she’d agree but…

“Yeah.”

I couldn’t even see her face clearly to know if she was messing with me. I dropped her off, then took off at a jog to head to my apartment. I was in my basic ballistic suit in minutes and headed toward the cubes. It was late, so I saw almost no one out and about, but the military police I saw on patrol didn’t stop me.

When I ported into my cube, I had Destiny send me directly to my personal training sim. It was a sim within a sim so we could control the privacy aspects.

I appeared in the bandit fortress’s courtyard where the Combat Development Team had been meeting. I was of the mind to change it to something she might appreciate but thought better of it. She needed to see that I wasn’t going to let her reason me out of her life, but I didn’t want to push too hard. I knew that was my tendency, so I took a deep breath and just waited for her.

It was only a few minutes before she arrived.

Her face lit up when she saw where we were. “This is where you guys have been experimenting, right?”

“Yup. It’s originally where Achilles sent me to train.”

“What are you working on this morning?”

“Normally, it would be weight training and then mediation, but since you’re here, I thought we could do something a little more interesting.”

She retreated back a step. “I haven’t agreed to anything Lucius. With us, I mean. Are you sure you don’t just pity me because you’ve seen my situation? We’re young. Emotions come and go.”

“Are you sure you’re not just making excuses because you’ve found another guy that you want to hook up with?”

She stomped forward and jabbed her finger hard into my chest. “Do you really think I’d ever make this same mistake again?”

I snorted. “Mistake?”

Realizing she had misspoke, her brow creased, but I cut her off before she could say anything.

“Yes, I pity you. Your situation is awful, and I want to save you from it. I won’t deny it. You’re also the forbidden fruit I’m not allowed to touch. Human motivations are complex. Hmmm. You’re also a friend who I know has my best intentions at heart.”

“There’s also a selfish reason. I’m using you as a source of motivation. Ever since I saw Cornelius leap over the heads of his own men and cut down those nearly invisible hobgoblins with ease, I wanted to know what that was like. I want fight the Krato and win, then fight the Vasileia, even against impossible odds, and surpass them. So as much as I want to do all of this for you, I’m also using you.”

“What else? I’m pretty sure you’re attracted to me, and I for one can’t wait to see your dance. And our sense of humors are very compatible, but not so much that we don’t get into little spats now and again. It will keep things interesting. We probably need to have more conversation about our core values, but as far as I can tell we share similar visions for the future.”

Tilting my head to the side, I gauged her reaction. It wasn’t the first time that day she was finding my chest interesting. “You want more? You’re—”

Before I could finish, her eyes inched up and her mouth was pressing into mine. It wasn’t gentle, but something she threw her entire self into. Her arms were hooked under my own and her hands were firmly pressed into my upper back like she was trying to meld us together. I smothered her in my arms and had no intention of stopping her. We were there for a few minutes before it ended abruptly.

She pushed away, looking frantic. Her eyes were damp. Her hands were wandering around aimlessly in front of her. She began shaking her head—slowly at first. When she looked at me, her meaning was clear. She mouthed, “I’m sorry,” then disappeared.

She was gone for a full minute before I started chuckling to myself.

“What are you laughing for?” Destiny chided, appearing before me in her ballistic suit and a basic braid.

“Haven’t you always told me that conflict in relationships drive people closer as long as both parties are committed to each other and willing to learn to negotiate?”

“I think we were both watching two different conversations. Form what I can tell, she just broke up with you. Where’s the commitment and willingness? And since when after you become so arrogant?”

“Arrogant?” I replied, looped my hands behind my back and began pacing. She’d lectured me a million times. It was her turn to listen. “You taught me from an early age that most people will never get what they want in the life, not because they aren’t capable, but because they won’t do what’s necessary to unlock their full potential. How many times have you asked me what I wanted and helped me set goals to reach it? Look what we have accomplished, Destiny. So why don’t you ask me again?”

Turning to face her, I watched as she crossed her arms over her chest in defiance.

“I want her, Destiny. I may be coming off overbearing, I admit, but I know what kind of man I’ll have to become to do all the things I’m promising her. She’s right. That future is one packed full of nothing but potential misery. It’s foolish to seriously consider it, but I’ve already made up my mind. Potential is nothing if it has not been actualized. The only sure way to lose this fight is to give up before it has even started.”

The AI turned sentient that had practically raised me had given up her resistance to hide away in her own embrace. As soon as the first tear fell, streams followed.

“Why are you crying?” I asked, hurrying over to her.

“I don’t know.”

I rocked her back and forth as I held her there.

“Lucius, you’re scaring me. What happened to my little boy?”

“Is it because I’m starting to look like, Kline?” I said, flexing my biceps.

She patted my arm but didn’t smile. “One day, if you really do go to fight her fiancé for her hand in marriage, it won’t be a game. There will be no respawn. You know that, right? You could end up dead.”

“It’s just potential. One possible end. Here’s another. I show up, surpassing everything they believe possible, and tear the very pillar of their culture from the ground that put Victoria in this position so that it never happens to anyone else again.”

“That is just the foolishness of youth talking.”

“I know. And I’m going to put this excess testosterone and hypersensitive emotional state to good use. Now, port us into the Jungle and give me something dangerous to fight if you would please. And Destiny, make it something that can kill me. An Ekseliksi at the peak of rank E psionics will work.”

“Okay,” she said, pulling away. “Did you want to send Victoria a message before we get started?”

“As much as I want to comfort her right now—not this time.”

“All right…”

Returning to the cityscape, I held out both hands and Destiny summoned my spear and shield. A purple skinned alien that looked similar to Krato hovered in the middle of the street twenty yards away. Cycling my energy from note to note as I’d grow accustomed, I sprinted right at him.